Zambian president meets AU observer mission team ahead of Aug 12 polls

LUSAKA, Aug 10 (NNN-Xinhua) — Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Monday met an Election Observer team from the African Union (AU) ahead of this week’s general elections. The Zambian leader met the team led by former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma at State House where they held talks. During…

Zambian president commissions Chinese-built modern airport terminal

Zambian President Edgar Lungu launches the second terminal building at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka LUSAKA, Aug 10 (NNN-Xinhua) — Zambia on Monday launched a modern airport terminal, which was built by a Chinese company. The southern African nation launched the second terminal building at the Kenneth Kaunda…

Covid-19: Canada begins to allow entry for fully vaccinated US citizens, permanent residents

A vehicle from the United States passes through a boundary marker at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada OTTAWA, Aug 10 (NNN-Xinhua) — Canada unilaterally began to allow the entry by fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents on Monday after the two countries agreed to…

EU countries boost fire-fighting help to Greece

BRUSSELS, Aug 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU countries are stepping up their help to Greece to fight forest fires devastating its mainland and some islands, the European Commission said as it coordinated the assistance. There are now nine planes, 1,000 firefighters and 200 vehicles deployed by European Union states, a statement…

US Secretary of State Blinken vows no ‘impunity’ for Iran over ship attack

   UNITED NATIONS, Aug 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed vows to punish Iran for allegedly attacking a tanker, saying the world cannot allow “impunity.”   Speaking to a virtual Security Council session on maritime security on Monday, Blinken said the explosions in late July on the…

12 Burkina Faso soldiers killed in ambush

OUAGADOUGOU, Aug 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Twelve soldiers were killed in an ambush on Sunday in northeast Burkina Faso, communication minister Ousseni Tamboura said in a statement on Monday. The ambush targeted a joint military group, including land forces, near the village of Dounkou, Toeni Commune, in the Boucle du Mouhoun…

Some 44% of Mexicans, 56 million, were considered poor at the end of 2020: Gov’t

MEXICO CITY, Aug 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Of the 126 million Mexican population, almost 44% were considered poor at the end of 2020, according to official data from the government. In effect, 3,8 million Mexicans fell below the official poverty line last year to reach 56 million compared with the end…

Brazil extends until December 2022 waiver to Venezuelan migrants who seek refuge

BRASILIA, Aug 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Government of Brazil has extended until 2022 a waiver whereby Venezuelans seeking shelter may find it easier to settle in South America’s largest country. The administration of President Jair Bolsonaro thus moved towards increasing the number of migrants admitted as residents and reducing the…

Sudan floods: Thousands of homes damage; 12,000 people affected, says UN

Sudan faces severe flooding every year, with damage to properties, infrastructure and crops KHARTOUM, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of homes were damaged in Sudan after torrential rains caused heavy flooding, with many streets in the capital Khartoum deep in water.Heavy rains usually fall in Sudan from June to October,…

Capitol riot: Off-duty Seattle police officers fired for just “standing by” during assault

The scene at the US Capitol on Jan 6 has been described as a “medieval battlefield”  WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two off-duty police officers who stood by as President Donald Trump’s backers stormed the US Capitol in Washington DC on Jan 6 have lost their jobs. Alexander Everett and…